Windows 10 has come up with several features that will make your daily chores easier and faster. And one of the most useful features is the search bar. The Windows 10 search bar is located right next to the Windows button, making your search for documents, files, applications, or anything else quicker. However, many people find the size of the search bar annoying and would like to reduce it. Do you want to know how you can minimize the search bar? In this blog post, we will explain how you can minimize the search bar in Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Minimizing The Search Bar in Windows 10
Although Windows 10 provides easy access to various programs and features, the large and intrusive search bar may disrupt your user experience by taking too much space on your screen. Reducing the search bar size will let you have more control over your screen.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you begin minimizing the search bar in Windows 10, make sure you have an updated version of Windows 10. Also, make sure to save all your current work since we will restart the Windows Explorer during the process.
Method 1: Minimizing the Search Bar via Settings
Many people don’t realize that the built-in settings in Windows 10 offer a quick and easy method to reduce the search bar’s size. You can follow these steps to minimize the search bar via settings:
1. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
2. Click on the Personalization option.
3. On the left-hand side of the window, select the Start option.
4. On the right-hand side, scroll down until you see the Search box.
5. Here you have two choices, select the dropdown menu and click on the Hidden option.
6. Now the search bar is minimized and will only appear when you open the Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Pros:
– A very easy method to reduce the search bar size.
– The search bar will only appear when you need it.
Cons:
– The search bar will have to be expanded manually every time you need to use it.
Method 2: Minimizing the Search Bar via Registry Editor
Another efficient method to reduce the search bar size is by accessing the Registry Editor. It is a more technical approach, and any changes made to the registry can have significant impacts on your system if attempted incorrectly. Therefore, it is essential to follow these steps carefully:
1. Type ‘Regedit’ in the taskbar search box and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
3. In the right-hand pane, right-click on an empty space.
4. Select New -> DWORD (32-bit) value.
5. Name the new value as: "BoxedSearchFlight".
6. Double click on the value, change it to 1.
7. Restart your computer.
Pros:
– The search box remains accessible every time you press the Windows button.
– Registry modifications lead to exceptions to system software.
Cons:
– People might find access to the Registry Editor challenging, so there may be a risk of accidental modifications.
– The process may cause problems that are beyond repairable issues.
Method 3: Minimizing the Search Bar via Taskbar Settings
The Taskbar enables Windows users to carry out certain tasks quickly and easily. In this method, we will show you how to minimize the search bar through the Taskbar settings:
1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select Search.
3. Click on the Show Search Icon from the dropdown.
4. Expand the search bar by clicking on the magnifying glass icon whenever you want to use it.
Pros:
– You can still use the search bar.
– The search bar will not take much space, reducing the screen’s clutter.
Cons:
– It requires more steps to use the search bar.
– You will have to expand the search bar manually every time to use it.
Why Can’t Reduce the Size of the Search Bar?
Several reasons could prevent you from reducing the Search Bar’s size:
1. Disabled Taskbar Settings: You may find the option to reduce the search bar size grayed out if the setting is disabled. To fix this, enable the Taskbar settings in the Registry Editor.
2. Outdated Windows 10 Version: Your version of Windows 10 may not support reducing the search bar size. You can solve this by updating to the latest version of Windows 10.
3. Not Enough Disk Space: The lack of disk space may impede your system from downloading and implementing the necessary updates for setting modifications. Try freeing up disk space and retry changing the search bar size.
Additional Tips
– Any changes in the Registry Editor should be approached with caution as it has the potential to break your computer’s functionality.
– Make sure to create a full system restore point before made any modification.
– You can also download a third-party app or tool to help reduce the search bar size.
5 FAQs about Minimizing The Search Bar in Windows 10
Q1. How to access Taskbar Settings?
A1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings from the drop-down menu.
Q2. How to update my Windows 10 version?
A2. Click on the Start menu, then Settings. Then click on Windows updates and click check for updates.
Q3. How to enable Taskbar settings in the Registry Editor?
A3. Launch the Registry Editor (Regedit). Navigate through this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. Next, right-click anywhere in the right pane of the window, and go to New, Click Dword, Name the new item “TaskbarNoPinnedList “, assign the value “0” to the DWORD value.
Q4. Will minimizing the search bar affect any other windows settings?
A4. No, it will not. Minimizing the search bar will only impact its size.
Q5. Can I uninstall Registry changes later?
A5. Yes, you can restore the Registery Editor to its original state by deleting the added DWORD from above steps.
In Conclusion
Minimizing the Windows 10 search bar can drastically improve your user experience by freeing up valuable screen space. The built-in settings and registry editor are two efficient methods that can accomplish this. Following our detailed instructions, you can now minimize the search bar in Windows 10 with ease. Don’t forget to take the necessary precautions and backup system restore points before attempting any modifications.
